Moving target system

ABSTRACT

A novel, moving target system for the improved practice of hunting and improved shooting skills. The target may be comprised of one or more knockdown target sections moving along a track assembly on a carriage and may be preprogrammed to simulate random, realistic behaviors including running, walking, or grazing to simulate hunting game. The target may be programmed to adjust its speed randomly or in reaction to a gunshot or strike on the target or may be programmed to pause or randomly reverse direction, approximating the random behavior observed in hunting targets. The knockdown sections will react to a strike with preprogrammed behavior as described above, giving immediate feedback to the shooter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the design and construction of a novel, moving target system for the improved practice of hunting and improved shooting skills.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Moving target systems exist in various forms and are well known in the prior art. Conventionally and ubiquitously, moving target systems have included three-dimensional or solid, panel targets for shooting, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,927, Three-Dimensional Moving Target System and U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,973, Training Moving Target System. While these systems physically react to the effect of a hit from a projectile such as a bullet or arrow, the disadvantage to these systems is that they do not distinguish between hits to different areas on the targets. It is well known to hunters that a shot to the head or heart region of an animal is an immobilizing shot, sometimes known as a “killing shot”. Shots to other areas of an animal are, very often, “wounding shots,” failing to stop or immobilize the animal. For example, if a hunter shot a bear in the head or heart it would immobilize the bear immediately whereas if he shot the bear in the tail, the tail shot would probably not immobilize the bear. Many hunters and professional hunting guides find disfavor with wounding shots because the wounding shot inflicts unnecessary pain and suffering on the animal and fails to immobilize the animal, resulting in the possibility of the animal evading capture while slowly bleeding to death. The prior art does not disclose a target that distinguishes between immobilizing shots and wounding shots, which is needed to allow hunters to improve their skills by practicing in realistic conditions. Clearly there is a need for a target that will respond differently when hit in various areas.

While the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,927, discloses a track assembly that may be formed from various track segments, the combination of those segments creates a single continuous, serpentine track. The prior art therefore is not adaptable to conditions requiring shortened track length if the user so desires. Further, the prior art does not include any type of shield or protective cover for the target's carriage to prevent damage to the target's carriage from stray bullets or other objects. Clearly there is a need for a track assembly that may be shortened to accommodate the user's available space and have protective measures to keep the target's carriage from becoming damaged by ordinary use. Further, there is a need for a track that is designed with an ammunition catch for previously shot ammunition in order to prevent the ammunition from interfering with the target's carriage as it moves back and forth along the track. Lastly, there is a need to equip the target's carriage with brooms, brushes or equivalent devices on one or both ends to sweep or remove any ammunition from the track that may not have fallen into the catch as the target's carriage moves along the track.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive structure presents a number of advantages over the prior art. First, the invention is simple to form. The track assembly may be packaged in multiple pieces that are easy to assemble. In the preferred embodiment, the track assembly is comprised of six (6) independent track segments that are assembled together using joint connectors. The track segments are advantageous over the prior art because they allow the track assembly to be broken down for convenient packaging, transportation and storage. Each track segment is preferably 73.25 MM wide at the base of the track, 132.63 MM in total width including the front wall and 86.23 MM tall at the highest point of the track segment, namely the front wall. The front wall of each track segment extends out and is angled forward at a 35-degree to 70-degree angle with the ground, creating a shield in front of the front wall of each track segment to prevent wayward bullets from hitting the target's carriage and causing damage. In the preferred embodiment, the track has an ammunition catch to prevent the carriage from becoming stopped or moving unevenly over the previously shot ammunition. The target's carriage is also equipped with brushes, brooms or equivalent devices on each end to sweep away any previously shot ammunition or other objects that are on the track as the target's carriage moves back and forth. The track may be made of any material suitable for its intended purpose. The preferred embodiment also includes five (5) joint connectors that are placed between the track segments and used to connect the track segments together. If a shorter track assembly is desired, the user may elect to not connect all track segments and joint connectors. End caps are placed on each end of the track assembly and a reset bar assembly is incorporated to automatically reset the moving target when it reaches the end of the track assembly for continuous motion and uninterrupted use.

The target of the disclosed invention also displays distinct advantages over the prior art. In the preferred embodiment the target is formed of three steel knockdown segments which, when mounted to the moving platform, approximate the shape and size of various commonly hunted targets, such as animals or in the case of paintball, soft air, toy guns, or firearms for police training the targets may be in the form of humans, buildings, vehicles, or other objects. The target may also be made of any material suitable for its intended purpose. For example, the target may be made of plastic for use with paintball, soft air and toy guns.

In another preferred embodiment, the target is formed of four steel knockdown segments, including two head sections on each end of the target. Only one head section is visibly deployed at a time, facing in the direction of the target's forward movement. When the target reaches the reset bar on the end of the track, the head sections are automatically switched so that the target's head will be facing forward with the intention that the target will never appear to be moving backward as the target platform travels on the track assembly.

The target moves independently along the track assembly and may be preprogrammed with random, realistic behaviors depending on the type of target sought. For example, the target may be programmed to simulate animal behaviors including running, walking, or grazing in instances where hunters wish to practice hunting game, or human behaviors where individuals desire to practice with paintball, soft air, toy guns or firearms for police training. The target may be programmed to adjust its speed randomly or in reaction to a gunshot or strike on the target. The target may be programmed to pause or randomly reverse direction, approximating the random behavior observed in hunting targets. Independent landscape terrain features, placed on or in the front section of the track may approximate landscape indigenous to the animal, human, building, vehicle, or other object represented by the target. The target's behavior may be programmed to change depending on where the target is hit. Depending on which segment of the target is hit; one or more of the sections will knockdown. Based on these physical changes in the target, the target may adjust speed or its movement to approximate a wounded or confused target. Many of these features, and particularly the section knockdown feature, are advantageous over the prior art because the hunter can easily discern from a distance where the target has been hit, helping to train the hunter in greater hunting accuracy.

To illustrate, if the hunter shoots an animal target in the tail, the tail segment will be knocked down, and the two remaining segments of the target will continue to move back and forth along the track. In this instance, the target can be pre-programmed to increase speed to recreate the common reaction of an animal. This teaches the hunter that if he were to shoot a real target in this area while hunting, the target would merely run away fast—injured but not immobilized. Similarly, if the hunter shoots the middle section of the target, both the middle and tail sections will be knocked down and the remaining section of the target may begin to move more quickly. However, if the hunter hits the head section of the target, all three sections will be knocked down and the target will stop moving until it automatically resets itself. This system gives the hunter realistic hunting practice to improve his skills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a target with a first head and a second head according to the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 is a view of the front of a portion of the track assembly according to the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 is a view of the back of a portion of the track assembly with the carriage according to the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 is a view of a joint connector according to the embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Shown in FIG. 1 is a target (1) depicting a preferred animal embodiment. The target (1) has preferably three sections; a first head section (2), a middle and tail section (3), and a second head section (4). Only one head section (2) or (4) is visibly deployed at a time, facing in the direction of the target's (1) forward movement. When the target (1) reaches the reset bar on the end of the track, the head sections (2) and (4) are automatically switched so that the target's (1) head (2) or (4) will be facing forward with the intention that the target (1) will never appear to be moving backward as the target platform travels on the track assembly.

The target (1) is secured to a carriage (5), as shown in FIG. 1. The carriage (5) is preferably motorized and moves independently along the track assembly (8). The target (1) is propelled by the carriage (5), which may be programmed with various commands based on the section of the target (1) that contacts the carriage (5) when knocked down.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a front-view of two track segments (6) connected by a joint connector (7), which form the track assembly (8). The track assembly (8) may be formed using various amounts of track segments (6) depending on the user's desired track assembly (8) length. The front of the track segments (6) are angled forward to the ground to protect the carriage (5) from being damaged and to prevent ammunition from ricocheting back at the shooter. As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage (5) is protected by the front wall of the track assembly (8) as it moves back and forth.

The track segments (6) are connected using joint connectors (7), as shown in FIG. 4. Each track segment (6) slides halfway into the joint connector on each side of the joint connector to form the track assembly (8). There is a raised seam (13) that runs throughout the middle of the joint connector (7) to prevent each track segment (6) from being inserted too far into the joint connector and pushing the adjacent track segment out of the secured position. The joint connector has an extending arm (9) that is the same length and angle as the front wall of each track segment (6). The arm (9) has two slots (10) on each side to receive the track segments (6) to secure the track assembly (8). At the base of the joint connector is at least one tab (11) that is raised to allow each track segment to be secured between the tab (11) and the base (14) of the joint connector. The joint connector may also have a lip (12) on the back of the joint connector to receive and secure the track segments (6). 

1. A moving target system comprising: A track assembly, said track assembly including at least two track segments, at least one joint connector, two end caps, and at least one reset bar; A target, said target including at least two sections capable of being knocked down independent of each other or together; A carriage secured to said target in an upright position, said carriage always remaining in an upright position and secured to said target even when said target is in the knock down position;
 2. A moving target system as described in claim 1 and further comprising a means to program said target with various behavioral responses.
 3. A moving target system as described in claim 1 and further comprising a means to program said target with random activity profiles.
 4. A moving target system as described in claim 1 and further comprising optional landscape terrain.
 5. A moving target system as described in claim 1, wherein said track segments include a front wall that extends out and is angled forward at a 35-degree to 70-degree angle with the ground to create a protective shield.
 6. A moving target system as described in claim 1, wherein said track comprises an ammunition catch.
 5. A moving target-system as described in claim 1, wherein said carriage has a broom, brush, or equivalent device on one or both ends of said carriage.
 7. A moving target system as described in claim 1, wherein said target is made of steel.
 8. A moving target system as described in claim 1, wherein said target is made of plastic.
 9. A moving target system as described in claim 1, wherein said target further comprises a switch to reset said target from a knockdown position.
 10. A moving target as described in claim 1, wherein said target is in the shape of various animals.
 11. A moving target as described in claim 1, wherein said target is in the shape of a human figure.
 12. A moving target as described in claim 1, wherein said target is in the shape of a building or other structure.
 13. A moving target as described in claim 1, wherein said target is in the shape of a vehicle.
 14. A moving target as described in claim 1, wherein said target has a first head section situated at one end of the target and a second head section situated at a distal end of said target, said first head section deploying to a visible state so as to visually reflect an animal target moving in a forward direction and said first head section thereafter retracting so as to be rendered substantially non-visible contemporaneously with said second head section deploying to a visible state when the target moves in an opposite direction.
 15. A target comprising; At least two sections capable of being knocked down independent of each other or together; A carriage secured to said target, said carriage always remaining in an upright position and connected to said target even when said target is in the knock down position;
 16. A target as described in claim 15 and further comprising a means to program said target with various behavioral responses.
 17. A target as described in claim 15 and further comprising a means to program said target with random activity profiles.
 18. A moving target system as described in claim 15, wherein said target is made of steel.
 19. A moving target system as described in claim 15, wherein said target is made of plastic.
 20. A moving target system as described in claim 15, wherein said target further comprises a switch to reset target from a knockdown position.
 21. A moving target as described in claim 15, wherein said target is in the shape of various animals.
 22. A moving target as described in claim 15, wherein said target is in the shape of a human figure.
 23. A moving target as described in claim 15, wherein said target is in the shape of a building or other structure.
 24. A moving target as described in claim 15, wherein said target is in the shape of a vehicle.
 25. A moving target as described in claim 15, wherein said target has a first head section situated at one end of the target and a second head section situated at a distal end of said target, said first head section deploying to a visible state while said second head section is rendered substantially non-visible so as to visually reflect an animal target moving in a forward direction and said first head section thereafter retracting so as to be rendered substantially non-visible contemporaneously with said second head section deploying to a visible state when the target moves in an opposite direction.
 26. A joint assembly comprising: A joint connector, said joint connector having at least one raised tab extending the width of the joint connector for securing a first track segment between the bottom of the tab and the base of the joint connector and for securing a second track segment adjacent to said first track segment between the bottom of the tab and the base of the joint connector; An arm with a slot on each side for securing the first track segment and second track segment. 